138 Journalists Died On The Job In 2009

[Omaha Steve]

http://broadcastunionnews.blogspot.com/2009/12/138-journalists-died-on-job-in-2009.html

In the past year, 138 journalists have died in the course of their work, the majority were murdered or killed.

The International Federation of Journalists reports that 113 were murdered or killed in other violence, while the remaining 24 died in work-related accidents.



The most recent journalist to be killed was Canadian Michelle Lang, who died in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The report identifies the Philippines, Mexico and Somalia as the most dangerous countries for journalists to work in. Last month 31 journalists were killed in the Philippines after being abducted.

In Iraq, the worst country for fatalities among journalists over the past decade, five media workers were killed this year. The Federation argues that, in spite of a pledge by the UN Security Council in 2006, journalists are not given enough protection, especially in countries where armed conflicts are taking place.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for more action from governments and the United Nations to protect media.

"Last year's drop in the murder rate of journalists has been short lived," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "The devastating massacre of 31 journalists and media staff in the Philippines in November and fresh violence against colleagues in Mexico and Somalia have made this a year of terrible bloodshed for media."The IFJ list of work related media killings is coordinated with the International News Safety Institute (INSI) and contains 137 journalists and media personnel who died during 2009 against 109 killings recorded in 2008. Of these, 24 were accidental deaths while journalists were at work.

FULL story at link.

[FreakinDJ]

1. I knew the Philippines would be right up at the top

Marco Cronies still have yet to relinquish power

[dcsmart]

2. K & R